I find this very drying. It looks good for about two minutes then it seems to shrivel up and separate on my lips, turning from a plush velvet finish to a patchy mess. It's tolerable with balm on top but then it's not velvet or matte. I do have dry lips though so YMMV. On the plus side it's easy to apply.I prefer laura mercier lip paint though it's nearly x3 the price.EDIT: shade 07, a pink nude makes for a nice matte but not dry-looking cream blusher. You only need a spot. It blends well, but work fast! 10, an orange red also works as blush but a little harder to blend. Do not use too much, once it's on there is no going back.Finish as a blush is very natural but still "there".So, Iíve gone from 2 stars to 3 because at least now I see myself using these.

After reading a favorable review, I purchased this at the local Shoppers Drug Mart. It's a drugstore brand with a boutique price tag of $23 CAD. Color pay off is intense. It applies as a liquid with a slight sheen but dries down to a velvet matte in seconds. If you color outside your lipline you can easily wipe the excess away. The trick is to apply a light layer, not to much so it can dry quicker and evenly.I apply in the morning before I go to work and at the end of the day, after eating and drinking my lips are still stained a nice shade, that has faded to be sure, but has faded so it looks natural. I have it in 04 Peach Club, which is a unique color. Too bad this only comes in 6 shades- most of them red.